My wife finally got the surgery done!

We have been talking about it for quite a while; but she finally did it. We already have 5 children and we are very happy with our size of family. So, she went and got the surgery done. I know what you are thinking: the guy should get the surgery done, not the girl. Sorry, not in this family. Did I feel guilty, at all, for not going to get the surgery done? A little; but I got over it very quickly.

So, it's over; and don't worry, she is recovering very well. And she still kisses me. That's a bonus, right? I suppose there will be days when we question our decision; but every time we look at all 5 of our children, we can be content. And just in case you are still upset with me, or if you don't understand how appreciative I am, let me say it one more time:

I am very thankful to my wife, for going to get the surgery...for Nikki, our puppy!
No, wait a second...You did realize it was for our puppy, right?

I DON'T REMEMBER YOU SAYING THAT PASTOR!

There are some things about being a pastor that are incredibly encouraging, but this particular phrase is not one of them. Let me give you the context. First, several weeks in advance, I pray about what God wants me to preach in the future. Then, during the week before I speak, I will put in between 20-40 hours of preparation on 1 message. I will study the passage, the context of the passage, and any information I can find on that passage. I will pray about it, study everything I can get my hands on, and then start writing the message. I will also, once I know the main point or points, look for the right illustrations that will highlight the content of the message. Sometimes, finding the right illustrations can take as long as studying the content of the message itself (at least for me).

Then, finally Sunday arrives. It is what I have been building up for all week. I put all of my effort into communicating God's Word to people and challenging them to put it into practice. I usually preach for about 40-45 minutes. Then, later that evening, we meet in our small groups, to discuss the morning message and talk about how to make it real in life. One of my group members brings up a lengthy story that I told in the message that morning (this just happened a couple weeks ago). But, after he brings it up, one of the group members says (basically): "I Don't Remember You Saying That!"

It is tough when you put so much time into something and then someone says they don't remember what you said; especially since it was not just a single comment but an actual story that was important to illustrating the passage of Scripture. But, as I was trying to console myself that one person not hearing it is not a big deal, another person in the group said: I didn't hear it either. And then a third person said the same thing! Now, my palms started to sweat (not really, but it sounds good doesn't it?)

I did start to get that feeling of: what am I doing? Why should I preach if no one hears, if no one listens, if no one can remember? And yet, after 28 years of preaching (including 18 years of being a pastor), I don't see myself stopping. The fact is (or so I have been told) that people only remember 10% of what you say (if that; and even that doesn't last very long). They remember much more of what they discuss; and they remember even more of what they do. This is actually why we have life groups...so they can not just hear me speak, but they can discuss the message (at least the part they remember) and they can take action steps to apply it.

My confidence lies in the power of God's Word to change people's lives, even if they don't remember everything and even if my message stunk that particular day. It is an honor and privilege to communicate God's Word every week. And it is encouraging to know that sometimes, some of the people, sitting somewhere in the congregation, hear some of what I say, and then some of them actually remember some of it. I can't think of any way I would rather spend my life then preparing and preaching God's Word. And don't you forget it!

CHRISTMAS IS OVER

O.k. - Christmas is officially over, as of today. Now, we believe in the Christmas "spirit" (whatever that is) being here all year long; but there has to be some official ending to the Christmas holiday, right? For some, the day after Christmas, it is all over; but that is way too soon. For others, everything comes down by New Year's Day, and with the new year, Christmas is long forgotten. But, not for our festive family. No way. We celebrated up until today, February 19th (do we get the prize?)!

So, how do you know Christmas is now officially over? Well, it was today that the outside lights (old school, big bulbed, colored lights by the way) came down. How sad. That's o.k. It had to send sometime, right? So today was the day. The lights came down and Christmas is now over. Good news: only 9 months (thanksgiving time) until the lights go back up!

Before you recommend my family for Christmas family of the year, I suppose I should tell you one more thing: The lights came down today, instead of January 1st, because I could actually feel my toes and I wasn't afraid of the ladder slipping on ice, doing damage to my fragile body...and my Christmas spirit!

I fell in love with a lady named Grace

6 years ago, this Valentine's Day, I fell in love with a woman named Grace. Those of you who know I am married to a woman named Teresa don't need to worry. I also love Teresa - very much! But, you have to understand how powerful Valentine's Day is. And 6 years ago, on Valentine's Day, I began a special relationship with Grace that has also grown over these years. You need to know, that although she may not always look pretty, she is always beautiful to me. Has Grace hurt me in some things she has done and said? Yes, of course, just like in a marriage. But, that doesn't mean I love her any less. Over these 6 years, my love for her has grown, not waned. Have I thought about walking out on her? Yes. But, am I fully engaged, on this 6th anniversary of our love, to keep loving her the best I can (until the Lord parts us)? YES! I love Grace and she will always be in my heart, no matter what happens to our relationship in the future. Isn't that what love is all about? A commitment to love, no matter what.

Now, before you call our deacons and inform them that I may be a polygamist, or just a run of the mill adulterer, let me assure you, I am not. This woman, Grace, that I fell in love with 6 years ago, on Valentine's Day, is a church. And to be more biblically accurate, it is a group of people, known as Grace Baptist Church. The church is not a building or a particular location. The church may meet in a building, at a particular location, but the church is the people. And more specifically, the church is not just a list of names on a membership list. The local church is the people who actually attend the morning worship services, give of their worship to God, corporately, and intimately grow with others who come as well. Church is about investing in relationships with one another as we seek to glorify God and accomplish His mission.

As of February 14, I will have been in my current pastoral position for exactly 6 years. There are times when it seems like it has only been 2 years and times when it seems like 20. I don't deny that there have been rough times, and the temptation to quit has come to mind. However, until God makes it clear that He wants me to leave, I am more committed to the people of Grace than my first day of ministry here, February 14, 2005. Why? Because I now know the people, have been through some ups and downs of life and ministry with these people; and I have seen them grow in Jesus! Even if God were to call me to another ministry, my love for these people would remain strong, because we have, together, walked this journey of spiritual growth. And there is so much more to do, and more people to reach.

It has been my joy to serve here at Grace for these past 6 years. I was so excited, when I arrived here, because the people of Grace had voted unanimously (which is very rare for a Baptist church!) to bring me on as pastor. They had asked me to be willing to help them change, because they knew they needed to change to reach the next generation. They were mostly an older congregation and they wanted young people to come; and they wanted people from the surrounding communities, who were not yet committed followers of Christ, to come to Grace as well. I had warned them that although it was possible to see God do these things, it would require uncomfortable change and sacrifice on our part. But, God had put the people of Grace in a circumstance, where all they could do was trust Him, and they were willing, at that time, to commit themselves to the gospel mission God had given us.

Like any church and like any honest pastor would tell you, there is a difference between what we say we want and how we feel once those things actually start to happen; especially when those changes touch things that we are really comfortable with and like personally. I love Grace and I don't say this to bad mouth her. I am a part of her and am responsible, before God, for her. Every church that decides to reach younger people, and lost people from their community, go through this. Over these 6 years, our hearts have been broken, as very valued, loved people, members of this lady we call Grace, have walked away from us. We have cried many tears and felt intense, deep pain.

But, as I celebrate 6 years of my love relationship with Grace, I am praising God for her. I have seen her grow in faith, in love, and in purpose. I have seen parts of Grace just blossom and grow more lovely over time. I have seen her hurt and have been privileged to cry with her just as I laugh with her in the good times. I have seen her hang tough, through times of persecution, and demonstrate a willingness to endure for the glory of God.

So, to those of you who make up Grace, on this Valentine's Day, let me be clear:
I love you!

Greg

DADDY: WHAT'S A DEMOCRAT?

I was not expecting to hear this question from my 10 year old son. As a lifelong Republican, this is the type of question you never expect getting, but hope you would get. The tempting thing, in a moment like that, is to "load both barrels" and "fire away" at the Democrats, to my impressionable son. However, I resisted that temptation, at least long enough, to find out why he asked this question:

"So, why do you ask buddy?" He replied: "I heard on the radio that Democrats want the Steelers to win the superbowl and the Republicans want the Packers to win." I know it was a Christian radio station he was listening to, but I'm not sure what exactly they said or where the information came from. It doesn't matter.

In response to his question, I did tell him that there are several political parties and that the Democrats and Republicans are two of the major ones. He asked me if I was a Democrat. I told him I was a Republican and he seemed disappointed - only because he heard Democrats were cheering for the Steelers! My son wants the Steelers to win; so I decided not to talk politics at that moment.

If you asked him today, about his political views, he might even be leaning Democrat. Don't worry: we've got 8 more years to train him right!

My wife is laughing at me

I have no doubt. Do I hear her laughing? No. Do I actually see her laughing now? No. Oh, but she is laughing at me...no doubt. How do I know? Because we are in the middle of a winter storm and she is sunning herself in Florida as she visits her parents. No, I'm not bitter. Since last week, she has been by herself, in Florida, visiting her parents and 2 of her sisters; while I have been here, working and taking care of 5 children! Can I get any "oh, poor Greg" empathy statements from any of you?

I have to cook and clean, set schedules and discipline and let out the dog and go grocery shopping and wake everyone up and do everything else. If you didn't give me any "oh, poor Greg" comments before, can I get a "you are the dad of the year" nomination from you, at least?
Poor Teresa is enduring the hot Florida sun, getting no opportunities to hear 5 children argue at the same time, and having no chance to shovel snow or go sledding. She must be mourning the day she was born!

So, as my wife laughs at me (at least on the inside), I put on my hat and gloves, and my apron, take out the ice scraper and the laundry soap, and boldly declare: No problem...I got this...I can do this all by myself! [Of course, what I am really thinking is: babe - I am living and I can do this, for a while; but I miss you, we need you; and I can't wait for you to come home!]

But, since no one can see what I'm thinking, I'll say this: "Can't fly home because of the storm honey? Go ahead: stay a couple extra days: because I'm all over it! Dad's rule!"